You Are 10 Weeks Pregnant

Your BodyHave you mapped out and memorized the location of every public restroom in town? At this point, you probably have to pee more often than ever—a fact that’s attributable to your growing uterus pressing on your bladder. The good news is that after about week 12, your uterus will shift upward. That means less pressure on your bladder, and fewer bathroom breaks. Another down-there issue: Around this time, some moms-to-be experience uncomfortable cramping or a pulling sensation in the lower part of the belly. You can always check in with your doctor, but it’s likely something called round ligament pain—which is caused when the ligaments supporting your uterus stretch as the baby grows. The pain can be sharp and may be on one or both sides of your abdomen. As ouch as it is, though, as long as the pain is occasional, and they’re no accompanying symptoms like fever, bleeding or lightheadedness, don’t worry—it’s completely normal and not a sign that something is wrong in there.

Your BabyIn this week, your baby will have verifiable fingers and toes. Imagine how teeny tiny they are—too cute! Both the external ears and upper lip have completely formed, the cartilage, bones of the skeleton, and external genitalia continue to develop. The baby’s brain is also growing super rapidly at this stage. Completely dumbfounding fact: By one estimate 250,000 neurons are forming in her brain every minute right now. Wow! And graduation day is near. After this week, your little one will no longer be considered an embryo—she’ll be referred to as a fetus.

If your doctor has any concerns about the baby, she may recommend a genetic test called CVS, or chorionic villus sampling. It’s usually done between weeks 10 and 12, and involves collecting cells from the placenta. CVS is performed much earlier in pregnancy than amniocentesis and has an accuracy rate greater than 99 percent, according to the March of Dimes. It does, however, carry a slight risk of miscarriage. For women who have an elevated risk of passing along a genetic problem, such as Tay-Sachs, or of carrying a Down's syndrome child, the test may be well worth the small risk. If you are considering this test, choose a center or hospital with a strong safety record and wait until after the tenth week of pregnancy. And be sure to have your doctor really walk you through the pros and cons for your unique case.

Your Life Right NowOK, the last thing you’re probably thinking about right now is your teeth. But this is a good time to schedule a checkup. Why? Because the increased amount of blood in your body, coupled with hormone changes, can make you prone to teeth and gum issues (you may have already noticed your gums bleed a bit when you brush or floss). A little irritation is likely no biggie, but some women develop “pregnancy gingivitis”—which is the result of bacteria build-up and causing swelling and inflammation of the gums. And not to completely scare you into the dental chair, but according to The American Academy of Periodontology, pregnant women with periodontal disease (a more advanced health condition) may be seven times more likely to deliver a preterm, low birth-weight baby.

Some tips for good dental health during pregnancy:1. Be sure to tell your dentist that you’re pregnant, as it may affect the type of care you need and receive.2. Routine dental X-rays can be postponed until after delivery. If disease is suspected or an emergency arises though, dental X-rays are highly unlikely to be harmful. You should be shielded with a lead apron.3. Hormonal changes can contribute to inflammation of the gums if your oral hygiene is not good. Seek dental care right away if your gums are swollen or bleed when you clean your teeth.4. Ask your dentist for advice about dental care for your new baby.5. Don’t smoke. Smoking may lead to increased risk for periodontal disease and, of course, can lead to health problems for you and the baby.6. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and use dental floss.7. Eat healthy and avoid sweet between-meal snacks as they lead to acid build-up which attacks tooth enamel and can cause tooth decay.8. If you are troubled by frequent vomiting, due to early pregnancy nausea, it can leave stomach acids in your mouth. If this acid is not cleared away quickly, it can damage the surfaces of your teeth and promote tooth decay. Don’t brush immediately, instead rinse your mouth with water and follow up with a fluoride mouth rinse after vomiting. Brush about an hour later, to freshen your mouth and protect your teeth from the damaging action of stomach acids.9. Hormonal influences may cause a soft tissue growth along the gum line over one or two teeth. This tag of tissue is known as an "epulis." Although they are very vascular and therefore bleed easily with tooth brushing, they are typically benign and often regress after delivery though they may need to be removed by a doctor

Moms Like Me/ I wish I had known"Don't be pressured by the media. You don't need 5,000 things for your baby and 3 different strollers and 4 different seats and various different carriers.You don't need a separate playpen/bassinette/portable crib. Investigate the various options for baby equipment online and see where you can consolidate." - cl-bradleyteach